Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 11:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 11:36 p.m.

LONGBOAT KEY — Despite losing Thursday night to Steve Johnson in the second round of the Sarasota Open, Rhyne Williams secured a $2,360 paycheck — some for his work in singles and some for his work in doubles.

He played four matches in 5 hours, 28 minutes — earning $590 per outing, $429 per hour and $7.19 per minute.

The wage may seem high but in the world of tennis, that amount is meager compared to the money pulled in by heavy hitters like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Most of Williams’ paycheck will go to travel — he spends about $60,000 a year for himself and his coach to get to tournaments — and his rent and food. To save money, he rooms with his best friend from college in Boca Raton, drives a 1995 Dodge Durango (one he doesn’t have to make payments on) and avoids eating out at fancy restaurants.

“I’m a simple kind of guy. I like fishing, like to stay home,” he said Thursday night after his match, one in which he looked a bit fatigued throughout.

Williams, 22, was missing some easy slice shots and his return game was off, a result of little rest time, he said, another thing the lower ranked players deal with.

“I never got a day off after Houston,” Williams said, referring to his run to the semifinals at the Houston Open. He played his final match in Houston on Saturday, April 13, flew back to Boca Raton the same day and arrived at 1 a.m. Sunday then packed his Durango for a three hour drive to Sarasota.

He hit on Sunday then played his first match on Monday. He hasn’t had a day off since.

But he does not complain about it because he wants to make it big and he knows this is the way he has to do it.

“We’re all chasing this dream and you just have to keep working hard at it. It’s stressful because you’re trying to make a living and sometimes you don’t get the results.”

Plus there’s always thoughts about that paycheck. The further you advance, the more money you make.

At the Sarasota Open, one of the events on the USTA Circuit Tour, the winner makes $14,400 and earns 100 ranking points. If you’re a finalist you get $8,480 and 60 ranking points. A semifinalist gets $5,020, a quarterfinalist $2,920.

The extra perk: The American man who earns the most ranking points at two of the three USTA Pro Circuit clay-court events (Sarasota included) receives a wild card to compete in the main draw of the French Open.

“We’re all in the same boat,” Williams said. “So this is just something I need to get used to.”

<p>LONGBOAT KEY — Despite losing Thursday night to Steve Johnson in the second round of the Sarasota Open, Rhyne Williams secured a $2,360 paycheck — some for his work in singles and some for his work in doubles. </p><p>He played four matches in 5 hours, 28 minutes — earning $590 per outing, $429 per hour and $7.19 per minute.</p><p>The wage may seem high but in the world of tennis, that amount is meager compared to the money pulled in by heavy hitters like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.</p><p>Most of Williams' paycheck will go to travel — he spends about $60,000 a year for himself and his coach to get to tournaments — and his rent and food. To save money, he rooms with his best friend from college in Boca Raton, drives a 1995 Dodge Durango (one he doesn't have to make payments on) and avoids eating out at fancy restaurants. </p><p>“I'm a simple kind of guy. I like fishing, like to stay home,” he said Thursday night after his match, one in which he looked a bit fatigued throughout. </p><p>Williams, 22, was missing some easy slice shots and his return game was off, a result of little rest time, he said, another thing the lower ranked players deal with.</p><p>“I never got a day off after Houston,” Williams said, referring to his run to the semifinals at the Houston Open. He played his final match in Houston on Saturday, April 13, flew back to Boca Raton the same day and arrived at 1 a.m. Sunday then packed his Durango for a three hour drive to Sarasota. </p><p>He hit on Sunday then played his first match on Monday. He hasn't had a day off since. </p><p>But he does not complain about it because he wants to make it big and he knows this is the way he has to do it. </p><p>“We're all chasing this dream and you just have to keep working hard at it. It's stressful because you're trying to make a living and sometimes you don't get the results.”</p><p>Plus there's always thoughts about that paycheck. The further you advance, the more money you make. </p><p>At the Sarasota Open, one of the events on the USTA Circuit Tour, the winner makes $14,400 and earns 100 ranking points. If you're a finalist you get $8,480 and 60 ranking points. A semifinalist gets $5,020, a quarterfinalist $2,920.</p><p>The extra perk: The American man who earns the most ranking points at two of the three USTA Pro Circuit clay-court events (Sarasota included) receives a wild card to compete in the main draw of the French Open. </p><p>“We're all in the same boat,” Williams said. “So this is just something I need to get used to.”</p><p>SARASOTA OPEN</p><p>Thursday's USTA Results</p><p>At the Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key</p><p>Club & Resort (purse: $100,000)</p><p>Surface: Green Clay-Outdoor</p><p>Singles — Second Round</p><p>Mischa Zverev (GER) def. James Ward (GBR), 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.</p><p>Somdev Devvarman (IND) def. Ilija Bozoljac (SRB), 6-4, 6-4.</p><p>Alex Kuznetsov (USA) def. Tim Smyczek (USA), 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4.</p><p>Steve Johnson (USA) def. Rhyne Williams (USA), 6-1, 6-3.</p><p>Doubles — Quarterfinals</p><p>Nick Monroe (USA) & Simon Stadler (GER) (3) def. Jesse Levine (CAN) & Adrián Menéndez-Maceiras (ESP), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.</p><p>Alex Kuznetsov (USA) & Mischa Zverev (GER) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) & Stefano Ianni (ITA) (4), 6-2, 3-6, 10-3 tiebreak.</p><p>Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) & Somdev Devvarman (IND) def. Alex Bogomolov Jr (RUS) & Cedric-Michel Stebe (GER), 6-3, 6-4.</p><p>Friday's Schedule</p><p>Stadium Court (starts at 11:10 a.m.) — Mischa Zverev (GER) vs. Somdev Devvarman (IND); Alex Kuznetsov (USA) vs Steve Johnson (USA); Guido Pella (6) (ARG) vs. Denys Molchanov (UKR); Steve Johnson & Bradley Klahn (USA) vs. Alex Kuznetsov (USA) & Mischa Zverev (GER); (6:30 p.m.) Wayne Odesnik (USA) (8) vs. Facundo Arguello (ARG). Court 8 (not before 1:30 p.m.) — Nick Monroe (USA) & Simon Stadler (GER) (3) vs. Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) & Somdev Devvarman (IND).</p>